Sydney - Hyde Park

Hyde Park is the Sydney's central open large green space. It was named after its London equivalent Governor Macquarie in 1810. Originally the Hyde Park was a sporting ground playing host and a racecourse to all manners of competition.
The park is today much smaller than the original park. The only reminder of its early competitive heritage is the large playable chess set that features on the western side of the Hyde Park.
The quiet setting is popular among office workers, some time out from the bustling city centre or a quick siesta. The central pathway through the park is a wonderful, fig lined road linking two of the parks other feature, the War Memorial and the Archibald Fountain.
The War Memorial is a 30 metres high Art Deco Memorial. It was opened in 1934 and is a tribute to the Anzac soldiers who fell in the first world war. The memorial stands above the pool of rememberance and their is also a photograph exhibition downstairs.
The granite and bronze Archibald Fountain commemorates the Australian and French First World War alliance.
Over the summer months the Hyde Park is a place of activity, particularly during the Festival of Sydney when there is many of free entertainment. Admission to the Hyde Par and War Memorial is free.